Maple Leafs Captain Auston Matthews Steals Opponent's Stick on Bench, Snaps it in Half

While the Leafs followed Craig Berube's pre-series message of controlling their compete level and effort on their way to a convincing 6-2 win in Game 1 against the Ottawa Senators, the third period saw emotions run high.

At the midway point of the period, Senators agitator Ridly Grieg almost went into the Leafs' bench before realizing he was at the wrong door. In doing so, Auston Matthews grabbed his stick and proceeded to break it as Grieg made his way back to his team's bench.

Grieg has been public enemy number one in Toronto since he took a slapshot into an empty net last season and was once again in the middle of things in Game 1 - scoring a goal, but also taking a bad penalty that led to one of the Leafs' three power-play goals.

As the Senators get their first playoff game since 2017 under their belt, the Leafs' experience paid off with their ability to play from whistle to whistle without being sucked into taking bad penalties between play.

Hopefully, the Leafs will be able to carry that style of play into Game 2 and allow the Senators and Grieg to hurt themselves while the Leafs tip-toe the fine line between agitation and penalties.